Management of iliopsoas abscess

Empirical intravenous antibiotic therapy for iliopsoas abscess should target the most likely pathogens, which depends on the classification and presentation – seek expert advice. Antibiotic therapy should always be guided by the results of culture and susceptibility testing.

Intravenous antibiotic therapy should be switched to oral antibiotics once the patient is clinically stable. Some patients may require a longer course of intravenous therapy, including those presenting with Staphylococcus aureus bacteraemia, infective endocarditis or adjacent bone or joint infection.

Total duration of therapy (intravenous + oral) is dependent on drainage, clinical response and primary pathology – seek expert advice.